e e e e I have noticed in talking with other people that we all have different ideas
about God. I feel so concretely about my beliefs but, ironically, so do others. This
has troubled me, as I do not want to be wrong in my understanding of God. I tend
to believe in a benevolent God, one who is highly engage with mankind but is not
judgmental in this life, reserving judgment for the great white throne of judgment
(Rev. 20:11-12).[1] However, I know God has shown wrath in many biblical stories.
I guess a specific question I hope to answer in this class is how is God to truly be
viewed? I believe answering this question will result in the personal goal of truly
experiencing the world through the lens of a world under God as He truly is, not
how I believe Him to be.
e e e e e e e e e e I do not yet know what the Lord has for me after seminary. I hope to
serve in a preaching or teaching capacity. I imagine that having a well-rounded
and biblically-based understanding of God is a must in such a role, as leaders in
ministry are held accountable for the ways in which they do or do not lead those
in their care. With that said, I am sure I will use the things I learn in this class
toward such sermons or lesson plans. I feel that name it and claim it type
preachers set their congregants up to be let down, as the Bible does not promise
believers that they will live out their days on easy street. In fact, Jesus said, “In
this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world” (Jn. 16:33).[2]
e e e e e e e e e I also do not want to give off the impression of a God who is completely
hands off, as the Bible clearly does state that God answers prayer. God is
complex and, therefore, efforts to label Him to a predetermined category is
general an incomplete understanding of God. I heard Billy Graham say on the
radio one time, “If God were small enough for man to understand, He would not
be big enough to meet man’s needs.” Realizing that I cannot fully understand God,
I believe knowing as much as I possibly can about Him will enhance my faith-walk
and lead to spiritual growth. That growth, of course, should produce more fruit in
my service to others, both now and in future ministry endeavors.
Bibliography
Froese, Paul and Christopher Bader. America's Four Gods, What We Say About God
& What That Says About Us. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.
[1] Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, America’s Four Gods, What We Say About
God & What that Says
About Us, (New York: Oxford University Press, 2015), 24.
[2] Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New King
James Version.
